WCAL golf hopes to level playing field

Published: June 19, 2001 12:00AM

At the heart of the U.S.'s Declaration of Independence is the idea that "all men are created equal."

Several area golf coaches fought for equality during the past school year when it came to their linksters, leading the way to change the procedure for selecting the All-Wayne County Athletic League golf team next fall.

At the heart of the United States Golf Association format involving course and slope rating that will be used to choose the 2001 WCAL All-Stars is the idea that "not all golf courses are created equal."

Veteran Norwayne golf coach Sam Hornak took time out from a busy summer on the links to discuss the changes, which he hopes will become a model for other leagues in the future as well. The WCAL coaches will meet next Wednesday to further discuss the implementation of the format change.

Under the WCAL's old system, a player's scoring average for dual meets, along with their score at the season-ending league tournament was totaled together. The linkster with the lowest average was named the league MVP, the next five were named first team and the sixth through 11th averages were second team.

Hornak said that was more fair than some leagues that pick all-stars based on just the league tournament -- such as the Mohican Area Conference -- but not accurate enough.

In the past it was possible for golfers from schools with easier home courses to have better averages.

Under last year's USGA course ratings, Norwayne had the most difficult home course from the blue tees with a combined course rating on the front and back nines of 71.9 at the Hawks Nest.

Under the new format, an involved mathematical formula that brings scores from each match, course rating and slope rating all into the mix, a final differential number for each player will be used to pick the All-Stars.

"I thought we needed to go further," Hornak said. "In previous years, golfers from the WCAL have missed all-league honors by as little as a tenth of a stroke, including ones from Norwayne.

"I was not in favor of the change in the selection process just to get more kids from Norwayne on the team, but to do what's fair for the kids.

"The best golfers should be recognized. By using the USGA scoring system, all athletes, regardless of their home course, will be treated equally. The governing body of golf in the U.S. clearly states that there are major differences in course difficulty."

Chippewa principal Michael Tefs, the WCAL golf chairman, commended Hornak and the rest of the WCAL golf coaches for their work in trying to find the fairest system available.

"There were several methods we looked at and this was the one that was approved by the majority of WCAL principals," Tefs said. "It was approved for this year and then we'll evaluate its effectiveness after the season.

"We have consulted the USGA on this and a lot of work has been done behind the scenes. ... the whole reason behind the change was we wanted a system that would equal the playing field for all golfers. The new format should take into account the different levels of difficulty of each course and even the differences on a course from the front to back."